Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Care Access works to make the future of health better and more accessible by bringing clinical research and health services directly to communities worldwide. The Clinical Vendor Acquisition Manager will identify, source, qualify, onboard, negotiate with, and manage clinical vendors while supporting cost-effective procurement, contractual protection, compliance, and high-performing partnerships.
Responsibilities
- Review clinical protocols and other study documents to determine vendor scope and compatibility; translate protocol elements into vendor qualifications and study requirements
- Identify potential vendors based on the requirements of the protocol and other sponsor-provided study documents
- Conduct market research to assess vendor capabilities, pricing models, and risk factors
- Develop and maintain a preferred vendor network
- Lead RFPs, RFQs, and vendor selection processes
- Draft, review, negotiate, and finalize vendor contracts in collaboration with direct report, legal and finance teams
- Track contract renewals, expirations, amendments, and compliance requirements
- Identify and troubleshoot vendor-related issues impacting clinical execution or study timelines; act as clinical escalation point for vendor readiness concerns
- Establish performance metrics and monitor vendor performance against SLAs and KPIs
- Resolve service, performance, and billing issues in a timely manner
- Drive continuous improvement and cost optimization initiatives
- Maintain vendor documentation and compliance records
- Serve as the clinical point-of-contact for vendors, ensuring timely responses when study manuals are unavailable
- Standardize and improve communication pathways between vendors, SSU teams, and internal stakeholders
- Develop and refine vendor management processes to optimize efficiency and quality
- Guide internal and external stakeholders on vendor requirements, protocol expectations, training, and procedures
- Participate in governance calls and internal meetings to provide updates on vendor performance and risk status
- Develop tools, templates, and training materials to strengthen vendor onboarding and oversight processes
- Maintain internal database in Sharepoint as well as SalesForce
- Review study information and use internal databases, trackers, and dashboards as resources
- Other duties as assigned
Skills
- Strong understanding of clinical protocols, trial execution, and start-up workflows
- Prior vendor experience with the ability to discuss protocol clinical aspects with vendors
- Skilled at guiding vendor partners and internal teams on protocol expectations, training, and procedures
- Effective communicator of vendor requirements both internally and externally
- Experience working with site networks; direct site-based experience strongly valued
- Ability to negotiate and 'sell' Care Access's value to vendor partners
- Experience interacting with investigators, clinical staff, and site teams to support operational decision-making
- Strong cross-functional communication skills in a fast-paced, matrixed environment
- Creative, outside-the-box problem solving with openness to brainstorming solutions
- Proactive mindset with ownership, accountability, and focus on clinical quality
- Ability to foresee risks based on historical knowledge, manage escalations efficiently, and follow up across governance structures
- Data management skills for tracking KPIs, vendor performance, and escalation logs
- Ability to hold vendors accountable to agreed timelines and deliverables
- Capacity to effectively document historical vendor performance and leverage it for future pipeline planning
- Experience creating and implementing new processes based on role and company needs
- Experience reviewing, interpreting, and providing feedback on vendor contracts, including identifying risks, obligations, and compliance requirements
- Proven ability to manage the full lifecycle of vendor contracts, from negotiation through execution, renewal, and termination
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, healthcare, nursing, or related field (advanced degree preferred)
- 3–5 years of experience in clinical operations, vendor management, or clinical trial start-up
- Prior vendor-facing experience within clinical trials required
- Familiarity with vendor acquisition and management, and contracting workflows
- Experience in Clinical Project Management is strongly preferred
- Proficiency with CTMS, clinical portals, and project tracking tools
Benefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Company Paid Holidays
- 100% Employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance plan options
- Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Bi-weekly HSA employer contribution
- Company paid Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability
- 401(k) Retirement Plan, with Company Match
Company Overview